chlorpropamide: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 (Highly specialized technical/medical term)Technical/Medical
Quick answer
What does “chlorpropamide” mean?
A sulfonylurea medication used to treat type 2 diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A sulfonylurea medication used to treat type 2 diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels.
A first-generation oral hypoglycemic agent that stimulates insulin release from pancreatic beta cells and may increase tissue sensitivity to insulin.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant usage differences; spelling and pronunciation are consistent in medical contexts.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both UK and US English, confined to medical, pharmacological, and biochemical registers.
Grammar
How to Use “chlorpropamide” in a Sentence
The physician PRESCRIBED chlorpropamide FOR the patient.Chlorpropamide IS ADMINISTERED ORALLY.The patient WAS PUT ON chlorpropamide.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chlorpropamide” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The consultant decided to chlorpropamide the patient, though it's an archaic non-standard usage.
American English
- You cannot verb this noun in standard usage.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable.
American English
- Not applicable.
adjective
British English
- The chlorpropamide regimen was carefully monitored.
- She experienced a chlorpropamide-induced hypoglycaemic episode.
American English
- The chlorpropamide therapy was effective.
- He was on a chlorpropamide-based treatment plan.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in pharmaceutical industry reports or patent documents.
Academic
Used in medical, pharmacological, and biochemistry research papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Virtually never used; replaced by simpler terms like 'diabetes pill' or the brand name.
Technical
The primary context, detailing drug mechanisms, pharmacokinetics, and clinical trial data.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “chlorpropamide”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “chlorpropamide”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chlorpropamide”
- Misspelling as 'chlorpropamid' (dropping the 'e').
- Incorrect pronunciation stressing the second syllable (/klɔːrˈprɒpəmaɪd/).
- Confusing it with other sulfonylureas like glibenclamide.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Chlorpropamide is a first-generation sulfonylurea oral hypoglycemic agent.
No, its use has declined significantly in favour of newer sulfonylureas and other drug classes with better safety profiles, particularly due to its long half-life and risk of severe hypoglycemia.
A major side effect is hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), which can be prolonged. It can also cause a disulfiram-like reaction with alcohol and may lead to hyponatremia (low blood sodium).
No, sulfonylureas like chlorpropamide require a functioning pancreas to stimulate insulin release and are therefore only used in type 2 diabetes, not in type 1 diabetes where the pancreas produces little to no insulin.
A sulfonylurea medication used to treat type 2 diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels.
Chlorpropamide is usually technical/medical in register.
Chlorpropamide: in British English it is pronounced /ˌklɔːˈprəʊpəmaɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌklɔːrˈproʊpəmaɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None applicable”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'CHLORine + PROPeller + AMIDE' -> a chemical (chlor) compound that 'propels' the management of diabetes (amide indicates its organic chemical class).
Conceptual Metaphor
MEDICATION IS A TOOL / KEY: Chlorpropamide is a key that unlocks the pancreas to release insulin.
Practice
Quiz
Chlorpropamide is primarily used to treat: